Troy University dedicates John M. Long School of Music building

Posted: Monday, 31 March 2014

TROY – Rainy weather didn't dampen the spirit of the day on Friday as Troy University officials, alumni and community leaders gathered to dedicate a building, but more importantly pay tribute to the dedication of a true leader and legend – Dr. John Maloy Long.

Joined by Dr. Don Jeffrey, Interim Dean of the University's College of Communication and Fine Arts, and Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, Dr. Long and his wife, Mary Lynn, cut the ribbon on the new building on the stage in the Claudia Crosby Theater, as inclement weather pushed the ceremony indoors.

"This building is one of the finest of its kind in the country, and I am honored and humbled that it bears my name," said Dr. Long, TROY's Director of Bands Emeritus.

Rhoden on NLRB ruling: 'Where do we go from here?'

Posted: Monday, 31 March 2014

TROY - New York Times sports columnist William C. Rhoden believes this ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that college athletes are university employees is a step in the right direction, but believes it is only the first step on a long road to bring about more equitable treatment.

Speaking at Troy University's annual M. Stanton Evans Symposium on Money, Politics and the Media on Friday, Rhoden told students that what unfolds in the wake of that ruling will be "interesting to watch."

"Right now we are dealing with the idea - student athletes are employees," Rhoden said. "Great, but where do we go from here? This is what makes this ruling so interesting. This is just the start of what will likely be a long journey. Some athletes may not want to be a part of a union. This will not and should not be a one-sided proposition. We also must address the question of what are the responsibilities of these athletes as employees. So this ruling is just the starting point and it will be interesting to see what unfolds."

Troy University remembers former dean, director of School of Accountancy

Posted: Monday, 31 March 2014

TROY - Dr. Thomas A. Ratcliffe, Director Emeritus of the Troy University School of Accountancy and a TROY alumnus, is being remembered by University officials as one of the "greats in the history of Troy University."

Dr. Ratcliffe passed away March 23 at Lower Key Medical Center in Key West, Fla. A memorial service was scheduled in Key West on March 27.

"Dr. Tom Ratcliffe was a remarkable scholar who could 'walk with kings while maintaining a common touch'," said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., TROY Chancellor. "His leadership, vision and charisma transformed our accounting program into the best in Alabama. His influence is found in the lives of accountants located throughout America and beyond."

TROY students form nation's first Collegiate Exchange Club

TROY - With the ring of an Exchange Club bell, the nation's first Collegiate Exchange Club at a public institution of higher learning came into the being at Troy University today.

The 103-year old National Exchange Club has more than 20,000 members and 700 clubs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and stands on four pillars: Americanism, Youth Programs, Community Service and the Prevention of Child Abuse. In the Alabama District, there are about 750 Exchange Club members.

"We are honored to be a part of the group of people," said Troy University Exchange Club President XXX Dowdell, a junior psychology major from Duncanville. "We not only want to be a part of the community but want to work to change our community for the better."

University expanding study abroad efforts

TROY - Troy University has committed to international student education through joining the Institute for International Education's "Generation Study Abroad" initiative.

The move comes as part of IIE's attempt to double the number of U.S. students studying abroad by 2019.

"We began the deliberate process of internationalization of Troy University more than 20 years ago, concentrating on growing our enrollment of international students, which at that time numbered on 40," said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor. "Troy University has made building stronger study abroad programs a key priority for of our strategic plan and IIE's Generation Study Abroad Challenge comes at an opportune time for our University."

Troy University honored for marketing efforts

Posted: Thursday, 27 March 2014

TROY - Troy University's Office of Marketing and Communication has recently received honors for its marketing and advertising efforts.

TROY received five awards in the annual Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA) competition, including a Gold Award for outdoor advertising and a pair of Silver Awards for advertising and promotional efforts.

The University was awarded the Gold Award for the "It's T Time" billboard promotion. The billboards featured the University's "Sword T" athletic logo, and the campaign was developed to build excitement and promote upcoming athletic seasons and specific events.

University expanding study abroad efforts

TROY - Troy University has committed to international student education through joining the Institute for International Education's "Generation Study Abroad" initiative.

The move comes as part of IIE's attempt to double the number of U.S. students studying abroad by 2019.

"We began the deliberate process of internationalization of Troy University more than 20 years ago, concentrating on growing our enrollment of international students, which at that time numbered on 40," said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor. "Troy University has made building stronger study abroad programs a key priority for of our strategic plan and IIE's Generation Study Abroad Challenge comes at an opportune time for our University."

Brenda Johns wins Vergil Parks McKinley Award at Troy University

Johns, who has been employed by the University since 1997, received the award on Wednesday during a ceremony in the Trojan Center Ballrooms on the Troy Campus. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, presented the award to Johns, who was nominated by Tara Donaldson, Associate Vice Chancellor and Controller.

The McKinley Award is the highest honor that Troy University gives to a non-faculty staff member. It is presented quarterly to an employee who has demonstrated outstanding attitude, innovation and work ethic. The award was established by former Texaco CEO John McKinley in honor of his father, Vergil Parks McKinley, who was a Troy University professor during the early 20th century and was key to the development of the University's athletic program. Winners of this award receive an engraved clock and a $1,000 stipend.

MONTGOMERY - Troy University's Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts will close its 2013-2014 season on Tuesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. with a performance by the award-winning comedy troupe The Water Coolers.

The Water Coolers' hilarious brand of song and sketch comedy celebrates - and skewers - work, life, and balancing the two. From pretending to understand what the IT guy is saying, to fending off aggressive parents selling cans of old popcorn for their kids, The Water Coolers reveal the underpinnings of workplace life in funny and insightful songs and sketches performed by Broadway veterans. Like a cross between "The Office," "The Capitol Steps" and "Modern Family," The Water Coolers uses top New York City talent to answer the question "does this stuff happen to anyone else?" The Chicago Sun Times says the show is, "Guaranteed to make you laugh."

Single tickets for the performance are on sale now and range in price from $25-$50. To purchase tickets, contact the theatre office at (334) 241-9567. Tickets may also be purchased online for an additional fee on the "Subscriber Series" page of the website: www.troy.edu/davistheatre.

Clarinets will focus attention on John M. Long School of Music

TROY - Clarinet students from the region will descend on Troy University Saturday for the John M. Long School of Music's Clarinet Day.

Designed to bring world-class clarinetists together for a day of teaching and performances, students will attend artist recitals, master classes and end the day by playing in a large clarinet choir.

"We do it to provide an additional inspiring learning experience for our clarinet students and to attract high school clarinet students to the Troy Campus that day," said Dr. Timothy Phillips, an assistant professor of clarinet who organizes the day.

Troy University to welcome prospective students March 29 for Spring Trojan Day

Posted: Tuesday, 25 March 2014

TROY - Prospective students will have the opportunity to learn more about academic opportunities and extracurricular activities during Troy University's Spring Trojan Day on March 29.

The event, which begins at 9 a.m. with a browse session in Trojan Arena, will offer prospective students and their parents the opportunity to interact with representatives from the University's five colleges and various campus organizations, tour the campus, and learn about the admissions process.

Lunch will also be served to registered Trojan Day participants at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m. during the T-Day spring football game.

Helen Keller Lecture at TROY centers on technology

Posted: Tuesday, 25 March 2014

TROY - Anindya "Bapin" Bhattacharyya believes he has many "Anne Sullivans" in his life.

Bhattacharyya, who is blind and deaf, told students, faculty and guests at Troy University's 19th annual Helen Keller Lecture that technology was his teacher. He served as keynote speaker and spoke by sign to a person who translated via microphone in the University's Claudia Crosby Theater.

"The power of technology has led me to success, just as it has for most of you," he said.

Troy approved to offer Ph.D. in Sport Management

The Ph.D. in Sport Management will be offered both in class and online, and addressing a need in Alabama and with military students, said Dr. John Miller, interim Dean of the College of Health and Human Services and a professor of sport management.

"The Sport Management program will fill a strong, distinct and well-document societal, education and economic need for students Troy University serves," he said. "The doctorate will provide a reputable online Sport Management doctoral program that meets the needs of students and working professionals in the sport industry and, in particular, within the state of Alabama."

Troy University MathFest 2014 set for March 29 in Montgomery

Posted: Wednesday, 19 March 2014

Montgomery - Troy University MathFest 2014, a one-day undergraduate mathematics conference, will take place on Saturday, March 29, in the Rosa Parks Museum Auditorium on the University's Montgomery Campus. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and welcome.

Made possible by Troy University funding and a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant through the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), TROY MathFest was created in 2004 and allows students from around the region to participate in presentations and discussions covering all areas of mathematics, mathematics education and applications of mathematics. The event is an initiative of the University's Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

"The purpose of the conference is to provide students with opportunities to share the results of their research and projects in a supportive environment," said Diane Porter, Chair of the Department and Director of TROY MathFest 2014. "It also gives all students in attendance an opportunity to expand their knowledge about a wide range of mathematics."

TROY student to lead Alabama College Republicans

Posted: Wednesday, 19 March 2014

TROY - For the first time in the organization's history, the College Republican Federation of Alabama will be led by a Troy University student.

Cole Lawson, a senior political science and journalism major from Smiths Station, was elected during the party's annual convention on the Troy Campus in March. As chairman, Lawson becomes a voting member of the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee, the 21-member committee that defines the direction of the Republican Party in Alabama.

Lawson said he was ready to build the organization and wants its members to become involved in many aspects of their communities.

Chinese Language and Culture Workshop begins tonight

6 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, Montgomery Campus: A six-week program on "Chinese Language and Culture" begins tonight in 329 Whitley Hall on the Montgomery Campus. The workshop lasts for one hour.

This workshop familiarizes Montgomery-area business and civic people with Mandarin Chinese and provides etiquette and cultural training. The program is provided by the Confucius Institute at Troy University.

The workshop is open for coverage. The primary contact is Judy Xin Bu, coordinator of the Confucius Institute’s Montgomery Campus office.

New York Times sports columnist to speak at Troy University symposium

Posted: Tuesday, 18 March 2014

TROY - New York Times sports columnist William C. Rhoden will discuss ethics and morality in sports on March 28, at Troy University.

Presented by the University's Hall School of Journalism and Communication and the University's Center for Student Success, the annual M. Stanton Evans Symposium on Money, Politics and the Media will begin at 9 a.m. in the Trojan Center Ballrooms on the Troy Campus and is free and open to the public. The symposium is named for a TROY faculty member who is a national columnist, commentator and author, and is former editor of The Indianapolis News. Stan Evans has held the University's Buchanan Chair of Journalism since 1980.

Rhoden will speak on "Editorial Leadership: The Role of the Media in Influencing Ethics and Morality in Sports." A question-and-answer period will follow. Twitter users can follow the conversation at #RhodenTroy.

Troy University alumna honored by Leading Edge Institute

Posted: Monday, 17 March 2014

TROY - Troy University alumna Kelly Godwin has received the Leading Edge Institute's "Changing the Face of Leadership" Award.

Godwin, a 2002 TROY graduate, serves as assistant attorney general for the State of Alabama in the Criminal Trials Division. She specializes in crimes against children and the family. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jack Hawkins, Jr., first family of Troy University, and is married to TROY alumnus Adam Godwin.

The award recognizes a woman who embodies authentic, effective, ethical and compassionate leadership, said Ashley Gilbert, executive director of the Leading Edge Institute.

Troy University's Concert Chorale to present spring concert April 1

TROY - Troy University's Concert Chorale will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m., April 1 at Bush Memorial Baptist Church in Troy. The event is free and open to the public.

The 36-voice choir, under the direction of Dr. Diane Orlofsky, will be joined by faculty wind, percussion and keyboard musicians and will perform the music of John Rutter, Gustav Holst, Adolph Arensen, Javier Busto, Ola Gjeilo and Ivo Antognini.

"We are pleased to be able to bring this varied, lovely and accessible program to the public," said Dr. Orlofsky, professor of music education and director of university choirs. "The music in this concert celebrates life and love, hope and optimism. We encourage all to come and support this fine choral group as they present their music gifts to the community."

TROY ranked top in state for business program

Posted: Monday, 17 March 2014

TROY - Military Times has named Troy University's Sorrell College of Business the top "Best for Vets" business school in Alabama.

The organization publishes the "Army Times," the "Navy Times," the "Air Force Times," and the "Marine Corps Times" newspapers, and is owned by Gannett Co., Inc., one of the nation's largest media companies.

"External validation is always important, but the integrity that the Military Times ranking offers as objective news reporting is a strong indication that Troy University's support of our veterans and active military members is hitting the right mark," said Dr. Lance Tatum, vice chancellor of the University's Global Campus that serves students outside the state of Alabama and online.

TROY - Anindya "Bapin" Bhattacharyya, Technology Development and Training Specialist at the Helen Keller National Center, will deliver the 19th annual Helen Keller Lecture at Troy University on March 25.

The lecture, which will begin at 10 a.m. in the Claudia Crosby Theater on the Troy Campus, is designed to promote awareness of people who excel in their chosen fields despite physical and/or mental limitations. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

A native of India, Bhattacharyya was born deaf and became blind at the age of nine due to retina detachments. His mother worked hard to make it possible for him to achieve an education since there were no agencies to provide her information on raising a deaf child. She taught him to speak in his native language, Bengali, and because of her dedication, Bhattacharyya was able to attend a mainstream school. Once he lost his vision, Bhattacharyya was forced out of school because he could no longer read lips and there were no interpreting services available.

Public invited to make peace flags during street art workshops at the Rosa Parks Museum

Posted: Thursday, 11 March 2014

MONTGOMERY - Art, performance and messages of hope will come to the streets of downtown Montgomery this week when the "Peace Flags in the Wind" exhibit tour comes to Troy University's Rosa Parks Museum starting Thursday.

Organized by Miami-based artist and educator Joseph Vasile, the "Peace Flags in the Wind" tour combines performance and public art to create an interactive experience for the public. Vasile and a group of students from Pinecrest Preparatory Middle High in Miami will be conducting workshops on the streets outside of the Rosa Parks Museum March 13-15 in which members of the public can join them in making peace flags.

Intended to be colorful messages of hope and peace, the peace flags made during the workshop will be displayed outside of the Museum for the duration of the event. The workshops will also include improv and other theatrical performances, and displays of Rosa Parks-themed art created by Vasile and his students.

MONTGOMERY - Visitors to the W.A. Gayle Planetarium will get an even more out of this world experience thanks to a new full-dome digital projector and renovation unveiled this week.

Officials with Troy University and the City of Montgomery got their first look at the upgraded planetarium during a special premiere event today. The planetarium will reopen to the public on Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m.

"We researched the various projection systems on the market to determine the best fit for Montgomery," said planetarium director Rick Evans. "That research has paid off, and we are ecstatic with the new Super Mediaglobe. The projection is beyond brilliant, fully immersive and absolutely spectacular. The new astronomy software is beyond amazing. The stars in the night sky look fantastic, but there's so much more than stars. We now have a digital, three-dimensional map of the entire universe."

TROY's Hall School of Journalism and Communication to honor students, alumni March 29

Posted: Wednesday, 05 March 2014

TROY - Troy University's Hall School of Journalism and Communication will present its annual Awards Banquet on March 29 in the Trojan Center Ballrooms on the Troy Campus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7 p.m.

The event honors alumni and students for outstanding achievements and outstanding service to the Hall School.

"We have a growing number of alumni that are making great contributions in the world of journalism and communication, and this banquet allows us the opportunity to salute their work," said Dr. Steven Padgett, director of the Hall School. "The event also provides us with the opportunity to celebrate our students and recognize their achievements."

Troy University to present author's lecture on World War I on March 25

Posted: Wednesday, 05 March 2014

TROY - Nimrod Frazer, author of the upcoming book "Send the Alabamians: WWI Fighters in the Rainbow Division," will deliver a free, public lecture on March 25 at the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus.

Presented by Troy University, the lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m. (ET) and will address the role Alabama's 167th Infantry Regiment played during World War I. It is the third of four such lectures presented by the University in celebration of the centennial anniversary of the war.

Frazer lectured on the University's Troy and Montgomery campuses in February and will lecture on the Dothan Campus on April 17.

MONTGOMERY - The national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical "Sweet Charity" will come to Montgomery for one night only for a performance at Troy University's Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m.

"Sweet Charity" is a tender, poignant and funny look at the adventures, or rather misadventures, in the ways of love encountered by the gullible and guileless Charity Valentine—an unlucky soul who always gives her heart and her earnings to the wrong man. The tuneful score by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields includes hits such as "Hey, Big Spender," "Rhythm of Life," "I'm A Brass Band" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now."

This classic Broadway musical premiered in 1966 and won five Tony Awards. It also ran in the West End as well as having revivals and international productions.

TROY to host free conference for parents, teachers of gifted students

Posted: Tuesday, 04 March 2014

DOTHAN - The sixth annual Gifted Education Conference for parents and teachers of high-ability K-2 students will be held at Troy University's Dothan Campus on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Michelin Room in R. Terry Everett Hall.

The free event is sponsored by the College of Education and is aimed at helping parents and teachers better meet the needs of high-ability students in kindergarten through second grade.

"Typically, students are not identified and served in gifted programs until third grade. Therefore, we want to provide parents and classroom teachers with techniques that can enrich the curriculum for K-2 students prior to enrollment in a gifted program," said Dr. Victoria Morin, Professor of Special Education and Gifted Education.